The Last SamuraiCruise learns the way of the samurai.

PlotAmerican Captain Nathan Algren, haunted by his role in the Indian Campaigns, is recruited to train an army fighting the 1877 samurai rebellion in Japan. But when captured by samurai leader Katsumoto, he embarks on a journey of redemption.

VerdictAugust award bodies are likely to overlook a picture that puts the accent on action-adventure (samurais vs. ninjas!) rather than detailed drama. More fool them — as brisk as it is rich, The Last Samurai is much more fun than a mere history lesson.